Should children train or play hard on very hot days?

No. UKHSA's guidance is clear: "Children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days."

UKHSA's current guidance (updated July 2026) does not set a temperature at which this applies. It is written for schools and early years settings, and also advises:

• considering adjusting timetables to avoid teaching in very hot conditions
• keeping children in the shade as much as possible
• providing water and encouraging children to drink more than usual
• relaxing uniform rules, especially during amber or red Heat-Health Alerts

Applied to a training session, that points to lower-intensity work, shade and water, or moving the session away from the hottest conditions. Whether a match is postponed is decided by the league or competition under its own rules, which vary between sports.